Rep. Conyers launches legal fight to get on ballot

As expected, Rep. John Conyers has taken his battle to get on Michigan’s primary ballot to the courts.

The embattled 25-term Democrat filed suit in federal court Thursday challenging the constitutionality of a state law that requires people who circulate candidate petitions to be registered voters. Conyers has until June 6 to get on the primary ballot.

Conyers, the second-longest-serving member of the U.S. House, was deemed ineligible for the Aug. 5 primary ballot because he did not submit enough signatures. Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garrett invalidated a majority of the signatures because they were collected by people who were not registered voters.

The Detroit Free Pressreports the heart of Conyers’ legal argument in his lawsuit:

The United Supreme Court … and courts across the country have struck down voter registration requirements for petition circulators because such requirements violate the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and freedom of political association.

President Obama indicated he is behind Conyers, who was first elected in 1964 and stands to become the “dean” of the House if wins a 26th term. Conyers may also mount a write-in campaign.

“The president fully spports Congressman Conyers’ re-election, and looks forward to working with him in the next Congress,” said Mo Elleithee, communications director for the Democratic National Committee.

Obama joins House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Steve Israel and other prominent Democrats who are supporting Conyers’ bid for another term.

“I have every confidence that when this long process is complete, Representative Conyers will continue to serve the people of Michigan in Congress,” said Israel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “As the next Dean of the House, the Michigan delegation and pillar of the Democratic Party, Representative Conyers will remain one of the most respected voices in Congress.”